[Illustration:  Slave Ship]

[Illustration:  Slave Ship]

[Illustration:  Slave Ship]

[Illustration:  Slave Ship]

Such was the picture which the committee were obliged to draw, if they regarded mathematical accuracy, of the room allotted to the slaves in this vessel.  By this picture was exhibited the nature of the Elysium which Mr. Norris and others had invented for them during their transportation from their own country.  By this picture were seen also the advantages of Sir William Dolben’s bill; for many, on looking at the plate, considered the regulation itself as perfect barbarism.  The advantages, however, obtained by it were considerable; for the Brookes was now restricted to 450 slaves, whereas it was proved that she carried 609 in a former voyage.

The committee, at the conclusion of the session of parliament, made a suitable report.  It will be unnecessary to detail this, for obvious reasons.  There was, however, one thing contained in it, which ought not to be omitted.  It stated, with appropriate concern, the death of the first controversial writer, and of one of the most able and indefatigable labourers in their evils which come upon us, some are often so heavy as to overpower the sources of consolation for a time, and to leave us wretched.  This was nearly our situation at the close of the last session of parliament.  It would be idle not to confess that circumstances had occurred which wounded us deeply.  Though we had foiled our opponents at their own weapons, and had experienced the uninterrupted good wishes and support of the public, we had the great mortification to see the enthusiasm of members of parliament beginning to cool; to see a question of humanity and justice (for such it was when it was delivered into their hands) verging towards that of commercial calculation; and finally to see regulation, as it related to it, in the way of being substituted for abolition; but most of all were we affected, knowing as we did the nature and the extent of the sufferings belonging to the Slave Trade, that these should be continued to another year.  This last consideration almost overpowered me.  It had fallen to my lot, more than to that of any other person, to know these evils, and I seemed almost inconsolable at the postponement of the question.  I wondered how members of parliament, and these Englishmen, could talk as they did on this subject; how they could bear for a moment to consider their fellow-man as an article of trade; and how they should not count even the delay of an hour, which occasioned so much misery to continue, as one of the most criminal actions of their lives.